A six-member team from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office tactical unit endured two days of grueling physical and mental tests to come out on top at a recent statewide SWAT competition in Bossier City.

“These deputies put a lot of time and effort into their training and competed with some of the best SWAT teams in the state,” said Sheriff Tony Mancuso.

“There was nothing easy about this competition. It was a grueling and exhausting two days, but they put in the hard work and came out on top.”

At the Louisiana Tactical Police Officers Association competition, held May 9-10, the team placed first in rifle and obstacle course; second in pistol and shotgun; and third in sniper. The team’s combined score earned it first overall.

“Everyone showed up and knew exactly what to do,” said team leader Sgt. John Reddin.

Reddin said the team — which includes Sgt. Ed Choi, Sgt. Joshua Donovan, Sgt. Jeremy Dansby, Sgt. Brandon Miller and Capt. Rick Daughenbaugh — trained every week for months.

“We even put on our own little competitions (during training) to see where we were mentally and to work on our weaknesses throughout each week,” he said.

Daughenbaugh, who competed in sniper events, including shooting from a distance of 450 yards, said the competition mirrored real-world activities performed by team members. “These competitions, we take it seriously because this is not a football game; it’s not softball,” he said, “The skills that we utilize in the competition directly relates to our daily jobs, and it makes us better.”